title: Differences of respiratory function in children with spastic diplegic and hemiplegic cerebral palsy, compared with normally developed children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate differences between respiratory function in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) and children with normal development, and to compare respiratory function between children with spastic diplegic and those with hemiplegic CP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen children with spastic diplegic CP, 14 children with spastic hemiplegic CP, and 14 normal children were enrolled, whose age, gender, height, weight, and body surface area were matched. All participants performed respiratory function tests by inhaling a breath and then blowing the entire volume through a spirometer, as deeply and rapidly as possible.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In general, children with spastic diplegic CP and those with hemiplegic CP showed lower respiratory function compared to children with normal development. In comparison between children with spastic CP and those with hemiplegic CP, statistical significance was observed only in FVC, FEV<formula>_1</formula>, and PEF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings revealed significantly weaker respiratory function in children with CP as compared to normal children. In addition, children with spastic diplegic CP showed significantly lower forced expiratory function than those with spastic hemiplegic CP. Therefore, clinical assessment and therapeutic intervention for respiratory function should be carefully considered for children with spastic diplegic and hemiplegic CP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Yeungnam College of Science and Technology, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Hyun
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Hye Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000502:physiology; D012119:Respiration; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology